From Curiosity to Discovery: Boehringer Ingelheim's Pipeline Update Unveils Novel Investigational Compounds Heralding the Company's Entry Into Type 2 Diabetes

Ingelheim and Biberach, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Boehringer Ingelheim Oncology Pipeline Advances: Two Leading
Compounds are Entering Phase III Trials

- Boehringer Ingelheim's Investigational Compound in Development
for the Treatment of Pre-Menopausal Women Suffering From Hypoactive
Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) Will Report on Phase III Results in
2009

Boehringer Ingelheim announced that patients and physicians may
have several innovative type 2 diabetes treatment alternatives
available in the coming years. At its Second International Research &
Development Press Conference, Boehringer Ingelheim unveiled a
pipeline of unique oral anti-diabetic compounds in phase II and III,
establishing the Company in the type 2 diabetes arena. The incidence
and prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to grow globally with
someone dying every 10 seconds from diabetes-related causes(1). At a
time when many pharmaceutical companies have been forced to reduce
their investment in Research & Development, diabetes is the second
new therapeutic field that Boehringer Ingelheim has entered within
the past few years. In November 2006, Boehringer Ingelheim announced
their cancer drug development programme, which has progressed
significantly since then.

"With three new diabetes compounds with novel modes of action in
clinical development, it is with great pleasure that we again can
report on Research & Development progress at Boehringer Ingelheim,"
said Dr. Andreas Barner, Vice Chairman of the Board of Managing
Directors Boehringer Ingelheim, responsible for Research Development
and Medicine. "Boehringer Ingelheim is scientifically, economically
and intellectually well prepared to successfully broaden its diabetes
pipeline to meet the needs of physicians and their patients."

At Boehringer Ingelheim's largest Research & Development site and
the centre of excellence for metabolic diseases in Biberach, Germany,
the research teams have been focusing on the discovery and
development of oral anti-diabetic treatments targeting new
principles, such as the inhibition of DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4
inhibitors) and inhibition of SGLT-2 (sodium-dependent glucose
transporter-2 inhibitors). These compounds reflect the Company's
dedication to harnessing the most advanced science to efficiently
control type 2 diabetes and its often fatal consequences.

"Our research into new treatment options for patients with type 2
diabetes began in 2001 and is now bearing fruit. This is particularly
important since despite a variety of treatment options available
today, patients continue to struggle with tolerability," said Prof.
Klaus Dugi, Head Corporate Department, Medical Affairs, Boehringer
Ingelheim.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pipeline Compounds

Diabetes

BI 1356 (ONDERO(R))

INGELHEIM and BIBERACH, Germany, October 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Boehringer Ingelheim's front-runner compound BI 1356 is
currently in phase III clinical development.

- BI 1356 belongs to the distinctive class of antidiabetic
compounds - dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors).

- Phase IIb trials confirmed the compound's unique properties
that may positively differentiate it from others in the same class.

- Unlike some molecules in the class, the safety profile was very
favourable and a large phase III clinical programme currently
underway aims to further confirm the efficacy and tolerability of BI
1356 in long-term use.

Further substances: BI 44847, BI 10773

- The sodium-dependent glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2
inhibitors) are another class of novel anti-diabetic compounds in
development at Boehringer Ingelheim.

- SGLT-2 inhibitors express their therapeutic effect mainly by
eliminating excess blood glucose via the urine.

- Both substances in development are currently in phase II
clinical investigation.

Oncology

BIBW 2992 (Tovok(R)(2)), BIBF 1120 (Vargatef(R)(3)) and PLK-1
inhibitors

Since Boehringer Ingelheim pledged to bring new therapeutic
treatments to patients living with cancer in November 2006, the
Company's portfolio of compounds has significantly matured. Out of
the four leading compounds in development, one agent, targeting the
most common form of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),
has recently entered phase III clinical trials and another is set to
do so later this year.

- The first pivotal phase III study for BIBW 2992 has started
enrolment. The LUX-Lung 1 study will determine the efficacy of BIBW
2992 in lung cancer patients in whom the commonly used treatments of
the same class (gefitinib or erlotinib) have failed. Promising phase
II data presented at ASCO showed advanced NSCLC patients treated with
BIBW 2992 experienced a high rate of disease control (87%) and
promising overall response rate (50%). BIBW 2992 is a novel
representative of the new generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
It is an irreversible inhibitor of both EGFR and HER2.

- BIBF 1120 is planned to enter phase III development in NSCLC in
the near future. BIBF 1120 is a novel triple angiokinase inhibitor.
The substance simultaneously inhibits three growth factors and
receptors that play an important role in angiogenesis: VEGFR, PDGFR
and FGFR. Promising efficacy and tolerability data have been reported
from a phase II study in patients with advanced NSCLC, when BIBF 1120
was administered as monotherapy. Now, the LUME-Lung study programme
aims to provide further evidence that BIBF 1120 is generally well
tolerated when given with standard chemotherapy treatments for NSCLC
patients.

- Boehringer Ingelheim is broadening its cell cycle kinase
inhibitor portfolio by investigating potentially first-in-class
compounds, so called PLK-1 inhibitors. Promising data will be
presented at the upcoming 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Congress from 21-24th
October in Geneva.

- Further novel targets are currently under development at
Boehringer Ingelheim's cancer research centres in Vienna
(preclinical) and Biberach (clinical).

Sexual Health

- Flibanserin is an investigational compound in development for
the treatment of pre-menopausal women suffering from Hypoactive
Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). HSDD is a common condition affecting
up to 1 in 10 women and can frequently cause substantial distress and
interpersonal difficulties. The Bouquet(R) Studies, an extensive
phase III trial programme, consisting of approximately 5,000 women,
is ongoing with results expected in 2009.

"As our researchers become increasingly efficient in progressing
science we are able to improve and perfect existing classes as well
as spearhead new classes," said Dr. Michel Pairet, Senior Vice
President Research, Boehringer Ingelheim.

Additionally, Boehringer Ingelheim has initiated several
successful ongoing collaborations and actively seeks new
collaborations with external partners, ranging from academic
institutions to pharmaceutical enterprises as well as start-up and
small biotech companies, such as with Ablynx, Evec and Vitae
Pharmaceuticals.

A Global Commitment to Pioneering New Treatments

Boehringer Ingelheim owns a global Research & Development
facility network of four major and two additional research sites
located in USA, Canada, Austria, Japan, Italy and Germany. Discovery
and development comprise seven therapeutic areas: Oncology,
Respiratory, Cardiovascular Diseases, Virology, Central Nervous
System, Immunology and Metabolic Diseases.

"Boehringer Ingelheim is deeply committed to progressing science
through Research & Development," said Dr. Manfred Haehl, Corporate
Senior Vice President Medicine. "In 2007 the company invested 1.73
billion Euros in Research & Development, and added 400 new employees,
bringing our total global headcount in Research & Development to
6,400."

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading
pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it
operates globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and 39,800
employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has
been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and
marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and
veterinary medicine.

In 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 10.9 billion
Euros while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business
segment Prescription Medicines on Research and Development.

For further information please visit
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Please be advised

This release is from Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Headquarters
in Germany. Please be aware that there may be national differences
between countries regarding specific medical information, including
licensed uses. Please take account of this when referring to the
information provided in this document.

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(1) International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes Atlas. 3rd edn.
Brussels: International Diabetes Federation, 2006.

(2) If approved by regulatory authorities, BIBW 2992 is planned
to be marketed under the trade name TOVOK(R).

(3) If approved by regulatory authorities, BIBF 1120 is planned
to be marketed under the trade name VARGATEF(R).

ots Originaltext: Boehringer Ingelheim
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Julia Meyer-Kleinmann, Head of Science & Technology
Communications, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Tel.: +49-6132-77-8271,
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com